Weight Distribution (WD) Hitch --- How it Works

sanga wrote:
Hi Ron,
At last I met someone who know something about weight distribution.
I am from Australia and presently towing a Jayco 21'6" caravan total weight 4850 lb with a ball weight of 500 lb. The TV is a Toyota Landcruiser Troop Carrier GVM 7700 lb. The TV is fitted with a substantial steel bull-bar, winch, auxillary battery all of these in front of the front axle. These weighs the front of the vehicle down quite heavily, such that the front is 2" lower than the rear (when not towing). The TV is fitted with 2 fuel tank each (90 litres each or 180 lb of diesel each) and a water tank (130 lb). One fuel tank is midpoint between the front and rear axle and the second fuel tank and water tank is behind the rear axle. When not towing, I'll fill the water tank and second fuel tank, this helps to weigh down the rear of the TV and empty them when towing. When the TT attached, the TV and TT are now level. It seems there is no weight need to be distributed. Do I still need a WD and what advantage or disadvantage in adding a WD ?
I've been towing without a WD for over 10,00 miles and find the setup very stable with minimum sway (even passing road-train at high speed).
My only problem is pitching when towing on undulating road. Do you think a WD will fix this ?
Regards
Sanga

Sanga, your situation is unique enough that your post would serve well as a new thread. Otherwise any comments to your intriguing setup could easily be lost.

With a fuel tank and a water tank behind the axle, there are a wide range of possible loadings on your rear axle and unloadings on your front axle. A WD system will give you control over that.

Also, it is very common to experience pitching on undulating road and a properly adjusted WD system will do a great job of minimizing it.

It would be helpful to know what your rear axle is rated for and how much it scales at when hooked up without a WD system in place. You also need to pay close attention to your tires the pressure in them.